JP2006215927A - Image processing device, method, and system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing device, method, and system allowing easy security management of a document written by a structured description language. <P>SOLUTION: Security information of associated image data is added to XML data for the document. A security level 5 is set for an image area 604 while a security level 3 is set for an image area 505, and the security levels can be changed by a change button 610. For example, in transfer of the document to an external device, decision for determining whether the image data can be transferred or not can be controlled based on the security information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and method, and an image processing system, and more particularly to an image processing apparatus and method and document processing system for handling document data described in a structured description language.

  In recent years, companies have introduced a document management system to efficiently manage various documents. Therefore, a document management system using a markup description language (structured description language) that has been used for documents handled by computers has been proposed.

  Examples of such markup description languages include SGML (Standard General Markup Language) and HTML (Hyper-Text Markup Language). Various data formats using a certain XML (eXtensible Markup Language) have been proposed.

  XML is a readable data format described by text data. For example, “<” and “>” tags such as “<Tag>” and “</ Tag>” are used to express data items. Since various data can be expressed by enclosing another data in a nested structure with this tag, using XML allows efficient management even for documents containing multiple image data. it can. For example, each image information constituting the document can be expressed by <image> </ image> tags.

In addition, with the development of mobile media and networks, documents can be stored in portable media such as memory cards and can be carried. Document management is a problem with physical distance. Things that don't do are becoming necessary. For this purpose, for example, a technique is known in which information is read from a memory card and copied, and a copied document is written to the memory card (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP-A-63-105544

  As described above, since electronic document data is stored in a medium such as a memory card and can be easily taken out, management and security for the taken-out electronic data are regarded as important. However, conventionally, only a data management method for controlling access to media such as prohibiting storage of document data on media or prohibiting reading of document data from media can be provided.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problem, and provides an image processing apparatus and method, and an image processing system that can easily manage security of a document described in a structured description language. Objective.

  As a means for achieving the above object, an image processing apparatus of the present invention comprises the following arrangement.

  That is, when describing a document in a structured description language, structured data generating means for generating structured data by adding security information of image data associated with the document, and processing the structured data And structured data processing means for controlling the processing of the image data based on the security information.

  For example, the apparatus further comprises external storage loading means to which an external storage medium can be attached and detached, and the structured data processing means outputs the structured data to an external storage medium loaded in the external storage loading means. To do.

  According to the present invention, security management of structured data can be easily performed by adding security information of associated image data to structured data in which a document is described in a structured description language.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<First Embodiment>
System Configuration FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of an image processing system to which this embodiment is applied. In FIG. 1, reference numerals 100 and 101 denote networks such as a local area network (LAN), which are connected to the Internet 102 which is a public network via a server (not shown). Reference numerals 103, 104, and 105 denote digital multi-function peripherals that are connected to the LANs 100 and 101 or the Internet 102, respectively, and have copy, print, and scanner functions. Each of the digital multifunction peripherals 103, 104, and 105 has an interface to which the memory card 106 can be attached and detached. Reference numerals 107, 108, 109, 110 denote computers such as personal computers (PCs).

  In this system, documents created on the PCs 107, 108, 109, 110 are printed from the digital multifunction peripherals 103, 104, 105, stored in a storage means such as a hard disk (HD) (not shown) in the digital multifunction peripherals 103, 104, 105, and the digital multifunction peripherals. Images scanned by 103, 104, and 105 can be received by the PCs 107, 108, 109, and 110.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing in detail the internal configuration of the digital multi-function peripheral 103. The other digital multifunction peripherals 104 and 105 have the same configuration as that of the digital multifunction peripheral 103.

  In FIG. 2, reference numeral 208 denotes an operation unit, which includes, for example, an LCD touch panel or the like having an operation unit such as an operation button together with a display unit for displaying an operation menu, status display, and message of the digital multi-function peripheral 103. The operator cannot operate the digital multi-function peripheral 103 unless logging in by inputting a user ID and password from the operation unit 208.

  Reference numeral 209 denotes a large-scale storage means such as a hard disk (HD), which is connected to the main bus 213 via the ATA interface unit 214, and is processed by the digital multifunction machine 103 and structured document data such as XML In addition, a user ID and a user level such as a security level for the user ID are stored.

  Reference numeral 210 denotes a CPU that centrally controls each unit of the digital multifunction peripheral 103. Reference numeral 211 denotes a read only memory (ROM), which stores a control program for the digital multi-function peripheral 103. A RAM (Random Access Memory) 212 functions as a work area for the CPU 210. Reference numeral 213 denotes a main bus. Data input / output and control for each block are all performed via the main bus 213.

  A scanner unit 201 optically reads a paper document placed on a document table (not shown) and converts it into electronic image data such as a bitmap. A printer unit 202 prints out the input image data such as a bitmap onto a printing sheet using, for example, an electrophotographic method.

  Reference numeral 203 denotes an image processing unit which performs scaling processing for reducing / enlarging the input image data by data interpolation / decimation, for example, edge enhancement processing by secondary differentiation in a 5 × 5 window, table search, etc. Combined with γ conversion processing to change from luminance data to density data, binarization processing to convert multi-value data into binary data by error diffusion method, and a series of image processing such as rotation processing, etc. After that, processed image data is output.

  A compression / decompression unit 204 converts input image data such as a bitmap into, for example, JPEG format compression data, or decompresses input JPEG format compression image data into bitmap image data. A network interface control unit 205 is connected to a network such as a LAN and the Internet, and performs data transmission / reception control.

  An XML generation unit 206, which is a feature of the present embodiment, converts input image data such as a bitmap into a structured document such as XML (Extensible Markup Language) and outputs the structured document. Reference numeral 207 denotes a memory card interface unit, which allows the memory card 106 to be attached and detached, and controls data reading from and writing to the memory card 106 inserted therein.

Media I / F Unit Here, the memory card interface unit 207 will be briefly described.

  The memory card interface unit 207 is an interface unit for connecting an external device for connecting the IC memory card 106 and the like, and includes a card slot (not shown) in which the IC memory card 106 is detachably mounted. It is possible to read the contents stored in the IC memory card 106 attached to the. The memory card interface unit 207 can also write data stored in the RAM 212 in the digital multifunction peripheral 103 to the IC memory card 106 or the like, or write data read from the IC memory card 106 to the RAM 212. It is.

  The memory card interface unit 207 further has a function of detecting whether or not the memory card 106 is normal. The memory card interface 207 has a built-in DMA controller (hereinafter referred to as DMAC), and transfers data in the memory card 106 directly to the RAM 212 according to an instruction from the CPU 210. Conversely, data in the RAM 212 is transferred to the IC memory card 106. It is possible to transfer. Further, the memory card interface 207 directly receives a read or write command from the CPU 210 according to an instruction from the CPU 210, executes a read or write operation corresponding to the command to the IC memory card 106, and sends the result to the CPU 210. It is also possible to notify.

  The storage medium that can be connected to the digital multifunction peripheral 103 according to the present embodiment is not limited to the IC memory card 106, and other removable media such as a floppy disk (registered trademark) and an optical disk (MO, DVD) are used. It is possible.

Structured Document Generation Processing Hereinafter, the structured document generation processing in the XML generation unit 206 described above will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing structured document generation processing in the XML generation unit 206. FIG. 4 is image data input to the XML generation unit 206 (this image data may be input from the scanner unit 201 or a host computer. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of XML data output from the XML generation unit 206. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of XML data output from the XML generation unit 206.

  For example, when the image data 401 composed of characters, photos, and tables shown in FIG. 4 is input to the XML generation unit 206, in a region separation unit (not shown) in the XML generation unit 206, a character region and a graphic region, Image areas such as photographs and tables are recognized and separated into rectangular areas for each area (S301). Then, each of the separated image areas is cut out as one image data (S302).

  Here, in FIG. 4, 401 is input original bitmap format image data, and 402 shows a state in which the image data 401 is separated. These image data 401 and 402 are managed in the digital multi-function peripheral 103 under the name img20021219_001.bmp, for example. In the image data 402, 403, 405, and 406 are cut out as character areas, 404 as photo areas, and 407 as table areas. The character area 403 is img20021219_001_001.bmp, the photo area 404 is img20021219_001_002.bmp, and characters The area 405 is managed as bitmap format image data named img20021219_001_003.bmp, the character area 406 is managed as img20021219_001_004.bmp, and the table area 407 is managed as bitmap format image data.

  When each image area is cut out in step S302 as described above, the position information of each image area is acquired and managed as coordinate information 408, 409, 410, 411, 412 in the page (S303). Then, a structured document such as XML is created and output based on the image data and position information of each image area (S304).

  Here, FIG. 5 shows an example of an XML document created based on the image data 401 output in step S304. In the figure, the range surrounded by the tags <img> and </ imag> is detailed data indicating each image region. The range enclosed by the tags <secureLevel> and </ secureLevel> shown in lines 501 to 505 is the security information of the image area, which is a feature of the present embodiment. The level can be set. Security level 1 is the highest level, and security level 5 is the lowest level. When the XML generation unit 206 generates XML data, the security level 5 is set as a default.

  In each image area, the range surrounded by the tags <xCoordinates> and </ xCoordinates> is the X coordinate in the page of the image area, and is surrounded by tags <yCoordinates> and </ yCoordinates>. This range is the Y coordinate in the page of the image area. Further, the range enclosed by the tags <imgURL> and </ imgURL> is a URL indicating the link destination of image data (bitmap data) that is the substance of the clipped image area, that is, the storage location. IP address information on the network of the multifunction machine 103 is included.

  When generating XML data in the XML generation unit 206, as a default, control is performed so that the configuration of each image area in the page has a flat structure of the same hierarchy.

  As described above, the image data 401 input to the digital multi-function peripheral 103 is converted into image data 403 to 407 and XML data of each area by the XML generation unit 206 and output.

  Based on the above description of each unit, a data flow when image data is stored and managed in the HD 209 in the present embodiment will be briefly described below.

  In response to an instruction from the CPU 210, the scanner unit 201 reads a document composed of a plurality of documents placed on a document table (not shown), and the read document is stored in the HD 209 as bitmap electronic image data. The CPU 210 reads out the data stored in the HD 209 onto the RAM 212 and transmits it to the image processing unit 203, and stores the data subjected to appropriate image processing in the HD 209 again. Next, the CPU 210 reads out the image-processed data on the RAM 212 and transmits it to the XML generation unit 206, and outputs XML data output from the XML generation unit 206 and a plurality of bitmap-format images associated with the XML data. The data is stored in the HD209.

  Further, the CPU 210 reads the XML data from the HD 209, and simultaneously reads out the data to be compressed from the plurality of image data associated with the XML data, and transmits the data to the compression / decompression unit 204, and the data after JPEG compression. To HD209. At this time, the CPU 210 indicates that the extension of the data indicating the link destination of the image data enclosed by the <imgURL> tag in the XML data is JPEG compressed data from “bmp” indicating that it is bitmap data. Rewrite it as "jpg".

  As described above, when the series of image data compression and XML data rewriting is completed, the CPU 210 stores the XML data in the HD 209.

Update of Security Level etc. Rewriting of security information and hierarchical structure in XML data, which is a feature of this embodiment, will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS.

  6 is a diagram showing a preview display example of the image data shown in FIG. 4 on the display unit on the operation unit 208. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the security information and hierarchical structure rewriting processing in the XML data. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of XML data after change.

  When the user instructs to change the description of XML data in the operation unit 208 (S701), the CPU 210 reads all XML data document names (specified by the <documentName> tag) stored in the HD 209, and displays a list thereof. The information is displayed on the display unit of the operation unit 208 (S702). Then, the user selects a document name whose description is to be changed from the list of document names displayed on the display unit (S703).

  When the document name to be changed is selected, the CPU 210 reads out the XML data corresponding to the selected document name from the HD 209 together with the image data associated as constituting the XML data (S704), In the page memory area, one page of the document is developed as a bitmap with each image area laid out (S705). Then, after image processing such as reduction processing for preview is performed on the developed page image (S706), the preview image is displayed on the display unit in the operation unit 208 (S707).

  In the display example of FIG. 6, reference numeral 601 denotes the entire preview image, and reference numerals 602 to 606 therein are frame lines of the respective image regions added by the image processing in step S706. As for the image area in each frame line, it is only necessary for the user to be able to grasp the outline, so an image with reduced resolution or the like is displayed.

  In FIG. 6, when the user clicks in the frame line surrounding the image area to be changed, balloons 607 and 608 are displayed. The balloons 607 and 608 display the image name [imageName], the security information [SecureLevel], and the lower layer image information [SubImage], which are information of the selected image area, and a change key 609 for the image name. Is added with a change key 610, and an add key 611 and a delete key 612 are added to the lower layer image information. These pieces of image area information are described by tags of the same name in the XML data as shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 6, when the user presses the image name change key 609 (S708), the image name can be input from the operation unit 208. Based on the user input, the CPU 210 performs <imageName>, </ The image name specified by the imageName> tag is changed (S709). In the post-change XML data example of FIG. 8, row 801 indicates the changed image name. At this time, not only the XML data but also the image data that is the substance of the changed image area is renamed in the same way (the image data has been described as being renamed).

  When the user presses the security information change key 610 (S710), the security level can be input from the operation unit 208, and the CPU 210 performs <secureLevel>, </ secureLevel> in the XML data based on the user input. The security level specified by the tag is changed (S711). However, in this embodiment, the maximum security level that can be set is determined in advance by the logged-in user ID. For example, when the user whose security level 2 is the highest value rewrites the security level, the level 2 or lower, that is, levels 2 to 5 can be selected. In the post-change XML data example of FIG. 8, lines 802, 803, and 804 indicate the changed security levels.

  Further, when the user presses the additional key 611 of the lower layer image information (S712) and then selects an image area other than the image area selected first, that is, clicks in the frame, the image selected later is selected first. The XML data is rewritten so as to have a hierarchical structure of a format subordinate to the processed image (S713). In the post-change XML data example of FIG. 8, the row group 805 shows image information changed to a lower hierarchy. In this example, the image img_20021219_001_004 selected after the press of the lower layer image information addition key 611 is subordinate to the previously selected image img_20021219_001_005. On the other hand, when the delete button 612 for lower layer image information is pressed, the lower layer image information for the selected image is cleared, and the image information set for the lower layer is returned to the same layer as the selected image.

  The XML data changing operation described above is continued until the user gives a change end instruction from the operation unit 208 (S714), and the changed XML data and the image data whose image name has been changed in accordance with the end instruction, Saved to HD209.

Processing for Reading Data from Media Hereinafter, processing for reading data stored in the IC memory card 106 in the digital multi-function peripheral 103 having the configuration shown in FIG. 2 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the CPU 210 when data stored in the IC memory card 106 is read. First, in step S901, it is determined whether or not the IC memory card 106 is attached to the memory card interface unit 207, that is, whether or not the IC memory card 106 is present. When the IC memory card 106 is attached, the memory card interface 207 can physically confirm the attachment of the memory card 106 and output an interrupt signal to the CPU 210.

  In step S901, the CPU 210 stands by until an interrupt signal is received from the memory card interface 207. When the interrupt is received, the processing of the next step S902 is started. In step S902, the CPU 210 reads out a predetermined storage area portion in the IC memory card 106 from the IC memory card 106, and tries to determine whether or not data reading can be normally executed. If the read operation from the IC memory card 106 does not end normally, the operation unit 208 is displayed in step S903 that the read / write operation to the IC memory card 106 cannot be executed, and the process Exit.

  On the other hand, if the data read from the CPU 210 to the IC memory card 106 has been normally performed, it is determined that the IC memory card 106 is correctly installed, and the process proceeds to step S904. File name of image data stored in the IC memory card 106 and position information in the IC memory card 106 stored in a predetermined storage area (layer information of data in the memory card, layer information of the IC card) Is used to put it on the UI.

  At this time, the security information of each image data is analyzed in step S905, and the link destination image file that does not satisfy the security level of the logged-in user is not read. However, if the XML data has a hierarchical structure, if the security level of the upper hierarchy is not satisfied, it is determined that the data is not to be read even if the lower layer satisfies the security level.

  In step S906, the file name of the image data read from the IC memory card 106 and the position information in the IC memory card 106 are displayed on the operation unit 208 by the CPU 210. Therefore, the user can check the contents stored in the IC memory card 106 and select image data to be read from the IC memory card 106. The CPU 210 can also read data from the IC memory card 106 in accordance with an instruction from the program while another image processing program is being executed.

  When the position and file name of the image data in the IC memory card 106 are selected by the user, in step S907, the CPU 210 resumes the data reading operation from the IC memory card 106, and the predetermined data in the IC memory card 106 is restored. Address information of the file to be read stored in the IC memory card 106 stored in the storage area (information for checking where the physical address of the file is specifically located on the medium, actually reading Information to be notified to the hardware when working). In the present embodiment, a desired file can be read from the IC memory card 106 based on the address information read in this way.

  In step S908, the CPU 210 sets the address value of the address information read out as described above in the register of the DMAC in the memory card interface 207. In general, when performing data transfer in the DMAC, the data transfer source address, the data transfer destination address, and the data transfer length are set in the registers, and then the DMAC transfer is performed by manipulating the DMAC start register. it can. Therefore, the CPU 210 sets the address of the area where the data is actually stored in the RAM 212 as the data transfer destination address, and further sets the file size included in the read address information as described above as the data transfer length, Set to each register of DMAC.

  Next, in step S909, the CPU 210 starts data transfer from the IC memory card 106 to the RAM 212 by operating the activation register of the DMAC. The activated DMAC starts data transfer, and when all data is transferred from the IC memory card 106 to the RAM 212, an interrupt signal is notified to the CPU 210 to notify the end of the data transfer. When the CPU 210 receives an interrupt signal for notifying the end of data transfer from the DMAC in step S910, the CPU 210 ends all operations for reading data from the IC memory card 106.

Data Writing Processing to Media Next, processing when data stored in the RAM 212 is stored in the IC memory card 106 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the CPU 210 when data is written to the IC memory card 106. First, in steps S1001 to S1003, as in steps S901 to S903 of FIG. 9 described above, it is determined whether or not the IC memory card 106 is inserted, whether or not the IC memory card 106 is normal, and if there is an abnormality. A message indicating that the read / write operation with respect to the IC memory card 106 cannot be executed is displayed, and the process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1002 that the IC memory card 106 is correctly installed, the process proceeds to step S1004, and data to be written to the IC memory card 106 is selected. The selection of the write data is performed by the user selecting image data stored in the RAM 212 using the operation unit 208.

  At this time, security information of each image data is analyzed in step S1005, and only a linked image file satisfying the security level of the logged-in user can be transferred. However, when the XML data has a hierarchical structure, if the security level of the upper hierarchy is not satisfied, it is determined that the XML data is not to be transferred even if the lower layer satisfies the security level.

  When the data to be transferred to the IC memory card 106 is determined, the CPU 210 detects a free recording area of the IC memory card 106 in step S1006. Specifically, the address information of each file stored in the IC memory card 106 can be read, and the address of the free area can be calculated based on the total storage capacity of the IC memory card 106.

  When the head address of the free area of the IC memory card 106 is calculated, in step S1007, the CPU 210 uses the address value of the RAM 212 in which the image data to be transferred is stored as the DMAC transfer source register in the memory card interface 207. Set to. Then, the start address of the empty area of the IC memory card 106 as the transfer destination is set in the DMAC transfer destination register, and the size of the image data stored in the RAM 212 is set in the DMAC transfer length register.

  In step S1008, the CPU 210 starts data transfer from the RAM 212 to the IC memory card 106 by operating the DMAC activation register. The activated DMAC starts data transfer, and when all data is transferred from the RAM 212 to the IC memory card 106, an interrupt signal is notified to the CPU 210 to notify the end of data transfer.

  When the CPU 210 receives an interrupt signal notifying the end of data transfer from the DMAC in step S1009, the file name and storage location information of the image data stored in the IC memory card 106 in step S1010 is stored in the IC memory card 106. Write to a predetermined area managing file information and the like. Further, in step S1011, all the writing processing to the IC memory card 106 is completed by writing the address information of the stored image data to a predetermined area managing the address information in the IC memory card 106.

Drawing Data Creation Processing Hereinafter, processing for creating drawing data based on XML data in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing drawing data creation processing for printing by the printer unit 202 based on XML data stored in the RAM 212. First, XML data is analyzed in step S1101, and if it is not a document end tag (</ document>), tags in page tags (<page> to </ page>) are sequentially analyzed in step S1102, and the associated image is analyzed. The data is subjected to decompression / image processing (S1103) based on the security level. That is, the security information of each image data is analyzed, and the decompression / image processing is not performed for the linked image file that does not satisfy the security level of the logged-in user. However, when the XML data has a hierarchical structure, if the security level of the upper hierarchy is not satisfied, it is determined that the processing is not performed even if the lower layer satisfies the security level. Then, a bitmap development process (S1104) to the page memory area in the RAM 212 is performed on the image data subjected to the image processing in step S1103.

  For example, if the user level is 1, the bitmap of the image with the security level 1 to 5 is expanded, and if the user level is 2, the bitmap of the image with the security level 1 is not expanded, If a bitmap with an image level 2 to 5 is expanded and the user level is 3, an image bitmap with a security level of 1 to 2 is not expanded, and an image bitmap with an security level of 3 to 5 is not expanded. When the user level is 4, the bitmap of the image with the security level 1 to 3 is not expanded, the bitmap of the image with the security level 4 to 5 is expanded, and the user level is 5. Does not expand bitmaps for images with a security level of 1 to 4, but expands bitmaps for images with a security level of 5.

  When the page end tag (</ page>) is detected in step S1102, the document end tag is determined again in step S1101, and when the document end tag is recognized, it is expanded in the page memory area of the RAM 212 in step S1105. The bitmap data is transferred in the order in which the printer unit 202 forms an image, and printing is performed.

● Effects of the present embodiment As described above, according to the present embodiment, the security information tag is set in the XML data, thereby facilitating security management at the time of printing or at the time of data writing to and reading from the medium. Yes.

  In particular, since a security level can be set for each image area associated with XML data, fine security management can be performed in units of the image area.

  In this embodiment, the example in which the bitmap data is transferred to the IC memory card 106 as the image data associated with the XML document data has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. Any image data may be transferred as long as it can be used for general purposes such as a compression format. Further, the transfer destination of the XML document data is not limited to the IC memory card 106, but may be an external mobile terminal such as a mobile phone or a PDA, or another device connected via a network.

  Further, in the present embodiment, an example in which security information is added to each image area in a page constituting XML document data has been shown, but the present invention is not limited to this example, and for example, a page unit in XML document data And security settings may be set.

<Other embodiments>
Although the embodiments have been described in detail above, the present invention can take embodiments as, for example, a system, an apparatus, a method, a program, or a storage medium (recording medium). The present invention may be applied to a system composed of a single device or an apparatus composed of a single device.

  In the present invention, a software program (in the embodiment, a program corresponding to the flowchart shown in the figure) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment is directly or remotely supplied to the system or apparatus, and the computer of the system or apparatus Is also achieved by reading and executing the supplied program code.

  Accordingly, since the functions of the present invention are implemented by computer, the program code installed in the computer also implements the present invention. In other words, the present invention includes a computer program itself for realizing the functional processing of the present invention.

  In that case, as long as it has the function of a program, it may be in the form of object code, a program executed by an interpreter, script data supplied to the OS, or the like.

  As a recording medium for supplying the program, for example, floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card , ROM, DVD (DVD-ROM, DVD-R).

  As another program supply method, a client computer browser is used to connect to an Internet homepage, and the computer program of the present invention itself or a compressed file including an automatic installation function is downloaded from the homepage to a recording medium such as a hard disk. Can also be supplied. It can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. That is, a WWW server that allows a plurality of users to download a program file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer is also included in the present invention.

  In addition, the program of the present invention is encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, distributed to users, and key information for decryption is downloaded from a homepage via the Internet to users who have cleared predetermined conditions. It is also possible to execute the encrypted program by using the key information and install the program on a computer.

  In addition to the functions of the above-described embodiments being realized by the computer executing the read program, the OS running on the computer based on the instructions of the program is a part of the actual processing. Alternatively, the functions of the above-described embodiment can be realized by performing all of them and performing the processing.

  Furthermore, after the program read from the recording medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion board or The CPU or the like provided in the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are also realized by the processing.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a digital multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the structured document production | generation process in an XML production | generation part. It is a figure which shows an example of the image data input into an XML production | generation part. It is a figure which shows an example of the XML data which an XML production | generation part outputs. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the image data at the time of the update of XML data. It is a flowchart which shows the change process of the security information etc. in XML data. It is a figure which shows the example of XML data changed in this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the data reading process from an IC memory card. It is a flowchart which shows the data write-in process to an IC memory card. It is a flowchart which shows the drawing data creation process based on XML data.

Claims (17)

Structured data generating means for generating structured data by adding security information of image data associated with the document when describing the document in a structured description language;
Structured data processing means for controlling the processing of the image data based on the security information when processing the structured data;
An image processing apparatus comprising: Furthermore, it has an external storage loading means that can attach and detach an external storage medium,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the structured data processing unit outputs the structured data to an external storage medium loaded in the external storage loading unit. Furthermore, it has a printing means for printing out an image on a recording medium,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the structured data processing unit prints out the structured data by the printing unit. Furthermore, it has network connection means for controlling connection with other devices via the network,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the structured data processing unit inputs the structured data via the network. Furthermore, user identification means for identifying the user who performs the operation,
Having a setting holding means for holding a security level setting for each user;
5. The structured data processing unit controls processing of the image data according to a security level preset for a user identified by the user identifying unit. The image processing apparatus described.   6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the structured data processing means processes the image data when a security level set for the user is equal to or higher than a security level of the image data.   7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising structured data update means for updating security information of the image data.   8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the structured data updating unit further updates the name of the image data.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the structured data update unit further updates a hierarchy of the image data. An image processing method for processing structured data in which a document associated with at least one image data is described in a structured description language,
The structured data comprises security information about the associated image data;
An image processing method comprising: controlling processing of the image data based on the security information when processing the structured data. An image processing system comprising an image processing device connected to another device via a network, the image processing device comprising:
Structured data generating means for generating structured data by adding security information of image data associated with the document when describing the document in a structured description language;
Structured data processing means for controlling processing of the image data based on the security information when transferring the structured data to the other device via the network;
An image processing system comprising:   12. The structured data processing means further controls processing of the image data based on the security information when the structured data is input from the other apparatus via the network. The image processing system described.   A program for operating an information processing apparatus as an image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10 by controlling the information processing apparatus.   A recording medium on which the program according to claim 13 is recorded. A digital multi-function peripheral having input means for inputting an image,
An external storage loading means to which an external storage medium can be attached and detached;
Structured data generation means for extracting image data from the image input from the input means, and adding security information to the extracted image data to generate structured data;
Security control means for controlling processing of the image data based on the security information when transferring the structured data to an external storage medium attached to the external storage loading means;
A digital multi-function machine comprising: Input means for inputting structured data including image data to which security information is added;
Generating means for generating drawing data based on security information and user level of structured data input by the input means;
Printing means for performing printing based on the drawing data generated by the generating means;
A printing apparatus comprising: An input means for inputting an image;
An external storage loading means to which an external storage medium can be attached and detached;
Structured data generation means for extracting image data from the image input from the input means, and adding security information to the extracted image data to generate structured data;
Means for transferring the structured data generated by the structured data generating means to an external storage medium attached to the external storage loading means;
Input means for inputting structured data including image data to which security information is added;
Generating means for generating drawing data based on security information and user level of structured data input by the input means;
Printing means for performing printing based on the drawing data generated by the generating means;
A digital multi-function machine comprising:

Images